South Park creators sign massive $1.5 billion deal with Paramount
- South Park's season 27 premiered on July 23, 2025, after a two-year absence.
- The episode satirized various subjects, including Trump's legal threats and recent political events.
- The show's return coincided with its creators securing a landmark $1.5 billion deal with Paramount, ensuring numerous new episodes.
In July 2025, the animated series South Park returned to screens after a two-year hiatus with its season 27 premiere. This episode, titled 'Sermon on the Mount,' featured a satirical portrayal of US President Donald Trump where he was depicted in various controversial scenarios, including in bed with Satan. The storyline referenced Trump's lawsuit against the fictional residents of South Park and the recent cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, highlighting ongoing tensions between politics and entertainment. During the episode, characters addressed the implications of government censorship and the rise of wokeness. Despite the controversial content, the return of South Park coincided with the announcement that its creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, had inked a significant $1.5 billion licensing agreement with Paramount. This deal not only ensures the production of new episodes but also bolsters plans for both a streaming partnership and the planned continuation of 50 new episodes over the next five years on Comedy Central. The partnership appears to address recent political controversies, including accusations surrounding the timing of Colbert's show cancellation and a prior lawsuit brought by Trump against Paramount. In the premiere episode, the narrative unfolds as Cartman expresses his dismay at the cancellation of his favorite NPR radio program, allegedly canceled by Trump. This moment serves as a catalyst for a storyline involving other characters reacting to Trump's policies and the resulting chaos in the town of South Park. The episode evokes themes of division and critique, with Trump's character encountering backlash from his supporters regarding issues raised within public education, particularly the introduction of Jesus into the school curriculum, which leads to an exaggerated class conflict. Ultimately, the episode resolves with a settlement of Trump's lawsuit for $3.5 billion, controversially binding the town to produce pro-Trump public service messages. The premiere is significant not only for its content but also as a cultural touchstone reflecting current political climates and the intricate dance between media and political powers. The scale of South Park's return and the lucrative nature of the deal with Paramount highlight the show's longstanding influence and capacity to provoke discussions surrounding media freedom and political expression.